Method for applying a band about a sheet of material and a floral grouping

ABSTRACT

A band applicator for applying a band about a sheet of material disposed about a pot to provide a decorative cover for the pot. The band applicator includes a pot frame having a pot opening and a band holder configured to releasably hold a plurality of bands. The sheet of material is extended about the outer peripheral surface of the pot, and the pot with the sheet of material disposed thereabout is disposed in a pot receiving space in the pot frame. The pot frame holds the sheet of material positioned about the pot. A band is removed from the band holder and disposed about the sheet of material and pot for cooperating to hold the sheet of material positioned about the pot.

RELATED REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of application U.S. Ser. No.09/012,907, filed Jan. 23, 1998, entitled “METHOD FOR APPLYING A BANDABOUT A SHEET OF MATERIAL AND A FLORAL GROUPING”, now U.S. Pat. No.6,668,521; which is a continuation of application U.S. Ser. No.08/645,369, filed May 13, 1996, entitled “METHOD FOR APPLYING A BANDABOUT A SHEET OF MATERIAL AND A FLORAL GROUPING”, now abandoned; whichis a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/468,492, filed Jun. 6, 1995,entitled “METHOD FOR APPLYING A BAND ABOUT A SHEET OF MATERIAL AND A POT(Amended), now U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,131, issued May 27, 1997; which is acontinuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/202,313, filed Feb. 25, 1994, entitled“METHOD FOR APPLYING A BAND ABOUT A SHEET OF MATERIAL AND A POT”, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,465,553, issued Nov. 14, 1995; which is a continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 07/934,832, filed Aug. 24, 1992 entitled “BANDAPPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A BAND ABOUT A SHEET OF MATERIAL AND A POT”, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,426,914, issued Jun. 27, 1995; which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/819,311, filed Jan. 9, 1992,entitled “MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, nowabandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/765,416, filedSep. 26, 1991, entitled “MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT AFLOWER POT”, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,599, issued Apr. 21, 1992; which isa continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/530,491, filed May 29, 1990, entitled“MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, nowabandoned; which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/315,169, filedFeb. 24, 1989, entitled “MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT AFLOWER POT”, now abandoned.

Said application Ser. No. 07/934,832 is also a continuation-in-part ofU.S. Ser. No. 07/832,096, filed Feb. 6, 1992, entitled “MEANS FORSECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, now abandoned; which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 07/765,416, filed Sep. 26, 1991,entitled “MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, nowU.S. Pat. No. 5,105,599, issued Apr. 21, 1992; which is a continuationof U.S. Ser. No. 07/530,491, filed May 29, 1990, entitled “MEANS FORSECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, now abandoned; which isa continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 07/315,169, filed Feb. 24, 1989,entitled “MEANS FOR SECURING A DECORATIVE COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT”, nowabandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to decorative covers for potsand, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a bandapplicator for applying a band about a sheet of material for cooperatingto hold the sheet of material positioned about the pot to provide adecorative cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a band applicator constructed inaccordance with the present invention showing a sheet of materialdisposed on a top support surface and a flower pot disposed above thesheet of material.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the band applicator showing the flower potand the sheet of material disposed in a pot frame of the band applicatorprior to a band being disposed about the sheet of material and about theflower pot.

FIG. 3 is a top elevational view of the band applicator of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a modified band applicator similarto the band applicators shown in FIGS. 1-3, but having the sheets ofmaterial dispensed from a roll of material where the sheets of materialare cut from the roll of material.

FIG. 5 is a view of a modified band applicator with a modified pot frameconstructed such that the pot frame encompasses substantially the entireouter peripheral surface of the flower pot.

FIG. 6 is a view of another modified band applicator with a modified potframe where the modified pot frame covers only a relatively smallportion of the flower pot near the lower end of the flower pot.

FIG. 7 is a view of a flower pot covered with a sheet of material withthe band applied thereto.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the band applied at adifferent position with respect to the sheet of material and the flowerpot.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the band applied at adifferent position with respect to the sheet of material and the flowerpot.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a modified band applicator with amodified pot frame and modified band holder showing a sheet of materialand flower pot disposed in the pot frame.

FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic, plan view of another modified band applicatorhaving a modified pot frame and a modified band holder.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the modified band applicator of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a modified pot frame and amodified band holder.

FIG. 14 is a top elevational view of the modified band holder of FIG.13.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the modified band holder of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view of a modified band applicator showing aflower pot and a sheet of material disposed in the modified bandapplicator.

FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic view of a modified band applicator.

FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic view of the modified band applicator of FIG.17 showing the band applicator in a different position as compared tothat shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic view of another modified band applicator.

FIG. 20 is a diagrammatic view showing the band applicator of FIG. 19 inanother position.

FIG. 21 is an elevational view of yet another modified band applicator.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic, schematic view of another modified bandapplicator for automatically positioning the sheet of material and thepot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and designated therein by the generalreference numeral 10 is a band applicator constructed in accordance withthe present invention. The band applicator 10 is configured for applyinga band (a plurality of bands being shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and designatedtherein by the reference numeral 12 with only one of the bands beingdesignated in FIGS. 2 and 3 by a specific reference numeral) about asheet of material 14 disposed about a flower pot 16. In general, thesheet of material 14 is placed on the band applicator 10, the sheet ofmaterial 14 is formed about the flower pot 16 and the band 12 is securedabout the sheet of material 14 for cooperating in holding the sheet ofmaterial 14 in position about the flower pot 16 for providing adecorative cover for the flower pot 16.

The band applicator 10 is described herein specifically as beingconfigured to dispose a band about a sheet of material disposed about aflower pot. The present invention also is contemplated for use inapplying a band around a sheet of material disposed about a floralgrouping or other item. The term “floral grouping” as used herein meanscut fresh flowers, artificial flowers, a single flower, other freshand/or artificial plants or other floral materials and may include othersecondary plants and/or ornamentation which add to the aesthetics of theoverall floral grouping. The methods described herein thus also equallywould be applicable for placing a band about a sheet of materialdisposed about a floral grouping even though the invention specificallyis described herein with respect to a flower pot.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sheet of material 14 has an upper surface18 and a lower surface 20. The sheet of material 14 is constructed fromany suitable flexible material that is capable of being wrapped aboutthe flower pot 16. Preferably, the sheet of material 14 is constructedof a material selected from a group of materials consisting of paper,metal foil, cloth (natural or synthetic), denim, burlap or polymer filmor combinations thereof.

The term “polymer film” as used herein means any polymer film. Forexample, but not by way of limitation, one polymer film is apolypropylene film. Another example of a polymer film, but not by way oflimitation, is cellophane.

The sheet of material 14 has a thickness in a range from about 0.1 milsto about 30 mils. Preferably, the sheet of material 14 has a thicknessin a range from about 0.1 mils to about 5 mils.

The sheet of material 14 may be any shape. The sheet of material 14 forexample only may be square, rectangular, circular or any other geometricshape such as heart shaped for example only.

The sheet of material 14 may be constructed of a single layer ofmaterial or a plurality of layers of the same or different types ofmaterials. Any thickness of the sheet of material 14 may be utilized inaccordance with the present invention as long as the sheet of material14 is wrappable about the flower pot 16, as described herein.Additionally, an insulating material such as bubble film, preferable asone of two or more layers, can be utilized in order to provideadditional protection for the item wrapped therein. The layers ofmaterial comprising the sheet of material 14 may be connected togetheror laminated or may be separate layers.

A decorative pattern, such as a color and/or an embossed pattern, and/orother decorative surface ornamentation may be applied to the uppersurface 18 and/or the lower surface 20 of the sheet of material 14 orportions thereof including, but not limited to printed design, coatings,colors, flocking or metallic finishes. The sheet of material 14 also maybe totally or partially clear or tinted transparent material.

The sheet of material 14 also may be a cling wrap or cling material.

“Cling Wrap or Cling Material” as used herein means any material whichis capable of connecting to the sheet of material and/or itself uponcontacting engagement during the wrapping process and is wrappable aboutan item whereby portions of the cling material contactingly engage andconnect to other portions of the wrapping material for generallysecuring the sheet of material wrapped about at least a portion of theitem. This connecting engagement is preferably temporary in that thewrapping material may be easily removed without tearing same, i.e., thecling material “clings” to the wrapping material. A wrapping materialremains securely connected to and about the wrapped item until thewrapping material is torn therefrom.

The cling material is constructed and treated if necessary, frompolyethylene such as Cling Wrap made by Glad®, First Brands Corporation,Danbury, Conn. The thickness of the cling material will, in part, dependupon the thickness of the sheet of material utilized, i.e., generally,the thicker and therefore heavier sheet of material may require athicker and therefore stronger cling material. The cling material willrange in thickness from less than about 0.2 mils to about 10 mils, andpreferably less than about 0.5 mils to about 2.5 mils and mostpreferably from less than about 0.6 mils to about 2 mils. However, anythickness of cling material may be utilized in accordance with thepresent invention which permits the cling material to function asdescribed herein.

The flower pot 16 has an upper end 22, a lower end 24 and an outerperipheral surface 26 which extends generally between the upper and thelower ends 22 and 24. The flower pot 16 has a flower opening 28 formedthrough the upper end 22 thereof with the flower opening 28 extending adistance through the flower pot 16 and forming a retaining space (notshown) within the flower pot 16. Soil or holding materials such as aflorist foam or the like generally is disposed in the retaining space inthe flower pot 16 and a plant or flower is grown or extends from theretaining space outwardly a distance above the upper end 22 of theflower pot 16 (a plant or flower being diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 1and 2 and designated therein by the general reference numeral 30).

The band applicator 10 includes a base frame 32 having side walls 34 anda top 36 with a substantially flat top support surface 38 formedthereon. The side walls 34 are interconnected to form a generallyrectangularly shaped base frame 32. The top 36 is connected to an upperend of the side walls 34. The side walls 34 and the top 36 cooperate tosubstantially encompass a component space 40. The base frame 32 isrollingly supported on wheels 42 so that the band applicator 10 may berollingly transported to various locations.

A top opening 44 is formed through the top 36 with the top opening 44intersecting the top support surface 38 and the component space 40. Thetop opening 44 is illustrated in FIG. 2 as being basically circularshaped, although the top opening 44 could be any geometric shape ifdesired in a particular application. The top opening 44 has a diameterlarger than the diameter formed by the outer peripheral surface 26 ofthe flower pot 16, for reasons which will be made more apparent below.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of access slots 46 and 48 are formed throughthe top 36. The top 36 has a first end 50, a second end 52, a first side54 and a second side 56. The access slots 46 and 48 each intersect thesecond end 52 of the top 36 and each of the access slots 46 and 48extend a distance from the second end 52 toward the first end 50 of thetop 36. The access slots 46 and 48 are disposed between the first andthe second sides 54 and 56. The access slot 46 is spaced a distance 58from the access slot 48. The access slot 46 sometimes is referred toherein as the first access slot 46 and the access slot 48 sometimes isreferred to herein as the second access slot 48. The access slots 46 and48 each intersect the top opening 44 and cooperate to form a portion ofthe top opening 44.

A pair of access slots 60 and 62 also are formed through one of the sidewalls 34 with each of the access slots 60 and 62 being aligned with oneof the access slots 46 and 48, the access slot 60 intersecting theaccess slot 46 and the access slot 62 intersecting the access slot 48.The access slots 46 and 60 cooperate to provide a first arm opening andthe access slots 48 and 62 cooperate to provide a second arm opening forreasons which will be made more apparent below.

The band applicator 10 includes a pot frame 64 having an upper end 66and a lower end 68. A pot opening 70 is formed through the upper end 66providing access to a pot receiving space 72. The pot receiving space 72forms an inner peripheral surface 74 in the pot frame 64.

The upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 is generally circularly shaped inthe form of the outer peripheral surface 26 of the flower pot 16 and thepot receiving space 72 also is configured in the shape of the outerperipheral surface 26 of the flower pot 16. The upper end 66 may beadapted to resiliently engage a portion of the outer peripheral surface26 of the flower pot 16 during the operation of the band applicator 10in a manner such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,521, entitled,“Cover Forming Apparatus”, issued on Mar. 29, 1988, which disclosurespecifically hereby is incorporated herein by reference. In thealternative, the upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 may comprise a rigidor semi-rigid metal or plastic frame.

The pot frame 64, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, is constructed of aplurality of interconnected metal or plastic elements 80. The elements80 are interconnected to form the pot frame 64 so that the pot frame 64is not a solid, impervious structure, but rather has openings formedtherethrough, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. In the alternative, the potframe 64 could be constructed of a plastic or metal or wood, solid framewith the pot opening 70 and pot receiving space 72 formed therein in themanner described above.

The pot frame 64 is supported on the base frame 32. The pot frame 64more particularly is supported on the base frame 32 so that the upperend 66 of the pot frame 64 is disposed generally within the top opening44 with the upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 being disposed near orbelow the top support surface 38 of the top 36. The pot frame 64 may besupported on the base frame 32 so that the pot frame 64 is disposedabove the top support surface 38. In this last mentioned embodiment, thebase frame 32 no longer would require the top opening 44 or the accessslots 46, 48, 60 or 62 for reasons which will become more apparentbelow.

The band applicator 10 also includes a band holder 82 which isconfigured to releasably hold a plurality of bands 12. As shown in FIGS.1, 2 and 3, a plurality of bands 12 are disposed on the band holder 82.

The band holder 82 has a first end 84 and a second end 86. The bands 12are disposed generally between the first and the second ends 84 and 86of the band holder 82. In one preferred form, the first end 84 of theband holder 82 is connected to the lower end 68 of the pot frame 64 andthe second end 86 of the band holder 82 is removably connected to thetop 36 of the base frame 32. In this embodiment, the band holder 82cooperates to support the pot frame 64 on the base frame 32. The bandholder 82 extends from the top 36 downwardly a distance into thecomponent space 40 for supporting the band holder 82 and the pot frame64 within the component space 40 below the top 36. The band holder 82could extend a distance upwardly from the top support surface 38 forsupporting the band holder 82 above the top 36 if desired in aparticular application, as mentioned before.

The band holder 82, more particularly, comprises a first band rod 88 anda second band rod 90. The first band rod 88 is spaced a distance fromthe second band rod 90. The first ends of the first and the second bandrods 88 and 90 form the first end 84 of the band holder 82 and thesecond ends of the first and the second band rods 88 and 90 form thesecond end 86 of the band holder 82. An enlarged cap 92 is connected toor formed on the first end of the first band rod 88 and an enlarged cap94 is connected to or formed on the first end of the second band rod 90.A first key slot 96 is formed through the top 36. A second key slot 98is formed through the top 36. The first key slot 96 is spaced a distancefrom the second key slot 98. The first and the second key slots 96 and98 are disposed near the top opening 44 and spaced generally between thefirst and the second access slots 46 and 48. The first key slot 96 hasan enlarged portion 100 and the second key slot 98 has an enlargedportion 102.

In operation, the cap 92 is disposed through the enlarged portion 100and simultaneously the cap 94 is disposed through the enlarged portion102. Then, the first and the second band rods 88 and 90 are slidinglymoved in a direction generally toward the top opening 44 thereby slidingthe first and the second band rods 88 and 90 within the first and thesecond key slots 96 and 98 to a position wherein the caps 92 and 94 aredisposed over and engage a portion of the top 36 for preventing the bandrods 88 and 90 from dropping through the first and second key slots 96and 98, and for removably connecting the band holder 82 to the top 36 ofthe base frame 32.

The band holder 82 is removed in a reverse manner by moving the bandrods 88 and 90 to a position wherein the caps 92 and 94 are disposedover the respective enlarged portions 100 and 102. In this position, theband rods 88 and 90 are removable through the enlarged portions 100 and102 for disconnecting the band holder 82 from the top 36 of the baseframe 32.

In operation, a plurality of the bands 12 are disposed on the bandholder 82 with each of the bands 12 extending about the first and thesecond band rods 88 and 90, as diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2. The caps 92 and 94 then are disposed through the enlargedportions 100 and 102, and the band rods 88 and 90 are slidingly moved inthe respective first and second key slots 96 and 98 to connect the bandholder 82 to the top 36 of the base frame 32. In this position, the bandholder 82 and the pot frame 64 each are supported within the componentspace 40 of the base frame 32.

The operator then places the sheet of material 14 on the top supportsurface 38 and generally over the top opening 44. The sheet of material14 thus is positioned generally over the upper end 66 of the pot frame64. In this position of the sheet of material 14, the operator thenpositions the flower pot 16 generally over the sheet of material 14 andgenerally over the upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 thereby positioningthe flower pot 16 generally above the top opening 44 in the top 36 ofthe base frame 32.

The operator then lowers the flower pot downwardly to a position whereinthe lower end 24 of the flower pot 16 engages the upper surface 18 ofthe sheet of material 14. The flower pot 16 then is further loweredpushing the sheet of material 14 and the flower pot 16 through the upperend 66 of the pot frame 64 and into the pot receiving space 72 of thepot frame 64. As the flower pot 16 is moved into the pot receiving space72, the upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 engages the sheet of material14 and presses the sheet of material 14 against the outer peripheralsurface 26 of the flower pot 16 thereby forming the sheet of material 14generally about the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot 16.

The flower pot 16 is moved into the pot receiving space 72 until theflower pot 16 engages a portion of the pot frame 64 thereby positioningthe flower pot 16 and the pot frame 64 in the predetermined positionshown in FIG. 2.

In this position, the upper surface 18 of the sheet of material 14extends about the outer peripheral surface 26 of the flower pot 16 and aportion of the sheet of material 14 extends a distance upwardly beyondthe upper end 22 of the flower pot 16, as shown in FIG. 2.

In this position of the flower pot 16 and the sheet of material 14, theoperator extends the operator's arms through the access slots 60 and 62in the side walls 34 of the base frame 32, as diagrammaticallyillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The operator extends the operator's armsinto the component space 40 to a position wherein the operator graspsone of the bands 12 on the band holder 82. The operator pulls the band12 from the band holder 82 and extends the band 12 about the lower end68 of the pot frame 64. The band 12 is extended about one side of thepot frame 64 due to the connection between the first end 84 of the bandholder 82 and the pot frame 64 and the operator stretches the band overthe lower end 68 and about a portion of the outer peripheral surface ofthe pot frame 64. The operator then pulls the band 12 over the outerperipheral surface to a position wherein the band is pulled above theupper end 66 of the pot frame 64 thereby positioning the band 12 aboutthe sheet of material 14.

The band 12 elastically is stretched about the sheet of material 14 andthe flower pot 16 outer peripheral surface 26 for engaging and holdingthe sheet of material 14 in position extending about the outerperipheral surface 26 of the flower pot 16. The operator then removesthe flower pot 16 with the sheet of material 14 held thereabout by theband 12 from the pot frame 64. The band applicator 10 then isconditioned to receive another sheet of material and another flower pot.

As mentioned before, the pot frame 64 and band holder 82 may bepositioned and disposed above the top support surface 38. In thisembodiment, the operator will place the bands 12 about the sheet ofmaterial 14 and flower pot 16 in a manner exactly like that describedbefore, except in this last-mentioned embodiment, the operator does nothave to extend the operator's hands into the component space 40 sincethe pot frame 64 and the band holder 82 each are disposed above the topsupport surface 38.

The term “band” as used herein means any material which may be securedabout an object such as the flower pot 16, such bands commonly beingreferred to as elastic bands or rubber bands and also includes any othertype of material such as a string or metal or rubber or plastic orribbon or cloth or stribbon which may be secured about an object such asthe flower pot 16. The band 12 also may include a bow if desired in aparticular application.

The pot frame may be constructed of metal or plastic or any othersuitable material. The upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 comprises a ringfor engaging the sheet of material and forming the sheet of materialabout the flower pot 16 as the sheet of material 14 and the flower pot16 are moved into the pot receiving space 72. The ring shaped upper end66 may be a solid metal or plastic ring which rigidly engages the sheetof material or the ring may resiliently engage the sheet of material inany one of several ways disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,521, entitledCover Forming Apparatus, referred to before and specifically isincorporated herein by reference. In addition, a ring 104 (FIG. 1) maybe positioned over the sheet of material 14 and the ring 104 initiallyis movable to engage the sheet of material 14 and move at least aportion of the sheet of material 14 into the pot receiving space 72. Thering 104 has a plurality of bracket legs for engaging the sheet ofmaterial 14 and cooperating to form controlled pleats in the sheet ofmaterial 14 as the sheet of material and the flower pot 16 are movedinto the pot receiving space 72. A bracket of the type just described inconnection with the ring 104 is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,817,entitled “Flat-Paneled Flower Pot or Flower Pot Cover Die”, issued toWeder, et al. Jul. 7, 1992, which disclosure specifically hereby isincorporated herein by reference.

Embodiment of FIG. 4

Shown in FIG. 4 is a modified band applicator 10 a which is constructedexactly like the band applicator 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 anddescribed in detail before, except the band applicator 10 a alsoincludes a sheet dispenser 110 for dispensing the sheets of material 14.The band holder is not shown in FIG. 4, but it is included with the bandapplicator 10 a. The sheet dispenser 110 includes of a roll of material112 journally supported on a rod 114 which is generally connected to oneof the side walls 34 of the base frame 32 a. A pair of rollers 116 and118 also are journally supported on one of the side walls 34 of the baseframe 32 a. The roller 118 cooperates with a roller 117. A cutter 120 issupported on the base frame 32 a.

In this embodiment, material is unrolled from the roll of material 112and extended about the rollers 116 and 118. The material is unrolledfrom the roll of material 112 and extended about the rollers 116 and 118to a position wherein a portion of the material extends over the topsupport surface 38 of the base frame 32 a and a portion of the materialis disposed generally under the cutter 120. In this position, the cutter120 is actuated by the operator and brought into engagement with thematerial thereunder for cutting the portion of the material extendedover the top support surface 38 from the roll of material 112 therebyproviding the sheet of material 14 on the top of the support surface 38.

Rather than supplying a roll of material such as the roll of material112, the sheets of material 14 may be supplied in a pad form. In thislast-mentioned embodiment, a sheet of material is removed from the padof sheets of material 14 and applied about the flower pot 16 in themanner described before in connection with FIGS. 1-3.

Embodiment of FIG. 5

Shown in FIG. 5 is a band applicator 10 b which is constructed exactlylike the band applicator 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and described indetail before, except the pot frame 64 b is shaped to engage the lowerend 24 of the flower pot 16 at a position wherein the upper end 22 ofthe flower pot 16 is disposed near the upper end 66 b of the pot frame64 b and the flower pot 16 is substantially disposed within the potreceiving space 72 b. In this embodiment, the band 12 is moved over theouter peripheral surface of the pot frame 64 b in the manner describedbefore to a position wherein the band 12 is extended above the upper end66 b of the pot frame 64 b and brought into engagement with the portionof the sheet of material 14 extended above the upper end 22 of theflower pot 16.

Embodiment of FIG. 6

Shown in FIG. 6 is a band applicator 10 c which is constructed exactlylike the band applicator 10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and described indetail before, except the pot frame 64 c is configured to engage thelower end 24 of the flower pot 16 at a position wherein only a portionof the flower pot 16 near the lower end 24 thereof is disposed withinthe pot receiving space 72 c of the pot frame 64 c.

In this position, a substantial portion of the outer peripheral surface26 of the flower pot 16 extends upwardly above the upper end 66 c of thepot frame 64 c. The band 12 is extended about the pot frame 64 c in themanner described before and the band 12 is extended above the upper end66 c of the pot frame 64 c to engage the sheet of material 14 at aposition near the lower end 24 of the flower pot 16 thereby positioningthe band 12 about the sheet of material 14 and about the outerperipheral surface 26 of the flower pot 16 at a position generally nearand spaced a distance above the lower end 24 of the flower pot 16.

Embodiment of FIG. 7

Shown in FIG. 7 is a flower pot 16 with a sheet of material 14 disposedthereabout and held in place with a band 12. The band 12 is positionedabout the sheet of material 14 and about the outer peripheral surface 26of the flower pot 16 at a position near the upper end 22 of the flowerpot 16.

FIG. 7 illustrates one position of the band 12 with respect to the sheetof material 14 and the flower pot 16. As illustrated and mentionedbefore, the configuration of the pot frame 64 determines the position ofthe upper end 66 of the pot frame 64 with respect to the upper and thelower ends 22 and 24 of the flower pot 16 thereby determining to a largeextent the position of the band 12 with respect to the upper and thelower ends 22 and 24 of the flower pot 16.

Embodiment of FIG. 8

Shown in FIG. 8 is the flower pot 16 with the sheet of material extendedabout the outer peripheral surface 26 of the flower pot 16 and the band12 disposed about the sheet of material and positioned generally abovethe upper end 22 of the flower pot 16. The embodiment of the bandapplicator 10 b shown in FIG. 5 is adapted to position the band 12 abovethe upper end 22 of the flower pot 16 in the manner illustrated in FIG.8.

Embodiment of FIG. 9

Shown in FIG. 9 is the sheet of material 14 wrapped about the flower pot16 with the band 12 extending diagonally across the flower pot 16 with aportion of the band being disposed above the upper end 22 of the flowerpot 16 and another portion of the band being disposed below the lowerend 24 of the flower pot 16. The embodiment shown in FIG. 9 furtherillustrates one other position where the band 12 may be placed inaccordance with the present invention.

Embodiment of FIG. 10

Shown in FIG. 10 is another modified band applicator 10 d which includesa modified pot frame 64 d and a modified band holder 82 d. The bandholder 82 d consists of a cylindrically shaped tube 130 having an upperend 132 and a lower end 134. The tube 130 is hollow and has an openingextending therethrough intersecting the upper end 132 thereof. The tube130 is secured to the base frame 32 d.

The modified pot frame 64 d is constructed exactly like the pot frame 64shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and described in detail before, except thelower end 68 d of the pot frame 64 d is tapered inwardly and narrowedand fitted within the opening in the tube 130. The upper end 132 of thetube 130 is connected to the lower end 68 d of the pot frame 64 d sothat the band holder 82 d cooperates to support the pot frame 64 dwithin the component space 40 d of the band applicator 10 d.

The band applicator 10 d will operate exactly like the band applicator10 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 and described in detail before, except, inthis embodiment, the operator places the operator's hands through theaccess slots (not shown) and into the component space 40 d. The operatorthen removes the top band from the bands 12 disposed on the band holder82 d. The operator then moves the band 12 upwardly along the outerperipheral surface of the pot frame 64 d to a position wherein the band12 is moved over the upper end 66 d of the pot frame 64 d and onto thesheet of material 14. The flower pot 16 with a sheet of material 14disposed thereabout is positioned in the pot frame 64 d in a mannerexactly like that described before with respect to the pot frame 64shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Embodiment of FIGS. 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15

Shown in FIGS. 11-13 is another modified band applicator 10 e. The bandapplicator 10 e includes a modified pot frame 64 e and a modified bandholder 82 e.

The pot frame 64 e comprises four conveyors 200 with the individualconveyors being designated in FIG. 11 with the individual referencenumerals 200 a, 200 b, 200 c and 200 d (only certain components of theconveyors 200 being shown in FIG. 11). Each of the conveyors 200 isrollingly supported by way of shafts 202 and 204 which are generallysupported on the base frame 32 e. Each of the conveyors 200 is disposedin the component space 40 e. Each conveyor 200 has an upper end 206 anda lower end 208 (the upper and the lower ends 206 and 208 beingdesignated in FIG. 12 only with respect to one of the conveyors 200.Each of the conveyors 200 is disposed in the component space 40 e andextends angularly upwardly toward the top 36 e with the upper end 206 ofeach of the conveyors 200 being disposed generally within the topopening 44 e of the base frame 32 e.

Each of the conveyors 200 includes a pair of arms 210 and 212. One endof each of the arms 210 and 212 is secured to one of the conveyors 200.The arms 210 and 212 are disposed on the respective conveyors 200 andspaced about 180° apart for reasons which will become more apparentbelow.

The pot frame 64 e also includes four secondary conveyors 214, only twoof the secondary conveyors 214 being shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 anddesignated therein by the reference numerals 214 a and 214 c. Each ofthe secondary conveyors 214 is rollingly supported on the shaft 204 andon a shaft 216. A hook 218 (FIGS. 12 and 13) is connected to each of thesecondary conveyors 214.

The modified band holder 82 e, as shown more clearly in FIGS. 12, 14 and15 basically comprises an outer tube 220 having an upper end 222 and alower end 224 with an opening 226 (FIG. 15) extending through the outertube 220 intersecting the upper end 222. An inner tube 228 is disposedwithin the opening 226 of the outer tube 220 and the inner tube 228 isslidably disposed within the opening 226 of the outer tube 220. Thediameter of the inner tube 228 is less than the diameter formed by theinner peripheral surface of the outer tube 220 so that a gap 230 (FIG.15) exists between the outer peripheral surface of the inner tube 228and the inner peripheral surface of the outer tube 220.

A sleeve 232 (FIG. 15) is disposed about the inner tube 228. The sleeve232 is slidingly disposed between the inner tube 228 and the outer tube220.

A spring 234 (FIG. 15) is disposed in the gap 230 between the inner tube228 and the outer tube 220. The spring 234 biases the sleeve 232 in anupwardly direction 236 (FIG. 15). A plurality of bands 12 are disposedin the gap 230 between the inner tube 228 and the outer tube 220. Thesleeve 232 engages the bottom band 12 with the spring 234 biasing thesleeve 232 and the bands 12 disposed thereabove in the upwardlydirection 236.

A cap 238 (FIGS. 12, 13 and 15) is connected to the upper end of theinner tube 228. The inner tube 228 is positioned in the outer tube 220and sized such that the cap 238 or, in other words, the upper end of theinner tube 228 is disposed a distance above the upper end 222 of theouter tube 220 thereby leaving a band disposal gap 240 (FIG. 15) betweenthe cap 238 and the upper end 222 of the outer tube 220. The banddisposal gap 240 is sized to accommodate a single band 12. A pluralityof slots 242 (four slots 242 being shown in FIG. 14 with only one beingdesignated with a reference numeral) are formed in the cap 238 with aportion of each of the slots 242 intersecting a portion of the upper endof the inner tube 228 for reasons which will be made more apparentbelow.

In operation, the conveyors 200 initially are positioned as shown inFIG. 12. In this position, the arms 210 are disposed near the upper end206 of the conveyor 200 and each of the arms 210 extend radiallyinwardly into the pot receiving space 72 e. The sheet of material 14 isdisposed on the top support surface 38 e and the flower pot 16 ispositioned above the pot frame 64 e and above the sheet of material 14,as shown in FIG. 12. In this position, the flower pot 16 is moved in thedownwardly direction engaging the sheet of material 14 and pushing thesheet of material 14 downwardly into the pot receiving space 72 e of thepot frame 64 e. As the flower pot 16 is moved in the downwardlydirection with the sheet of material 14, a portion of the sheet ofmaterial 14 and a portion of the lower end 24 of the flower pot 16engages the arms 210. The movement of the flower pot 16 in thedownwardly direction causes the arms 210 to be moved in the downwardlydirection thereby rotating the conveyors 200.

As the conveyors 200 are rotated by the downward movement of the flowerpot 16, the secondary conveyors 214 also are rotated by way of therotational movement of the conveyors 200 and the rotation of the commonshaft 204. As the secondary conveyors 214 are rotated, the hooks 218 onthe secondary conveyors 214 are moved through the slots 242 to engageand pick up the top band 12 from the band holder 82 e. The furtherrotation of the secondary conveyors 214 causes the hooks 218 to lift theband 12 from the band holder 82 e and move the band 12 in the upwardlydirection along the secondary conveyors 214.

When the band 12 reaches the conveyors 200, the band 12 is transferredfrom the secondary conveyors 214 to the conveyors 200. The movement ofthe conveyors 200 causes the band 12 to be moved in the upwardlydirection toward the upper end 206 of the conveyors 200. The conveyors200 and the secondary conveyors 214 are sized and positioned withrespect to the size of the flower pot 16 such that, when the flower pot16 is moved in the downwardly direction to a position engaging a portionof the conveyors 200 thereby positioning the flower pot 16 in the properposition within the pot receiving space 72 e, the conveyors 200 willhave moved the band 12 over the upper ends 206 of the conveyors 200thereby automatically dispensing the band 12 from the conveyors 200 anddisposing the band 12 about the sheet of material 14 for cooperating tohold the sheet of material 14 in the position extending about the sheetof material 14 in the manners described before.

It also should be noted that the arms 210 and 212 are movably positionedon the conveyors 200 such that, when the flower pot 16 with the sheet ofmaterial 14 positioned thereabout has been positioned within the potreceiving space 72 e of the pot frame 64 e, the arms 210 or 212 engagethe flower pot 16 thereby causing the arms 210 or 212 to be moved in theupwardly direction to a position as shown in FIG. 13 so that the flowerpot 16 may be properly positioned in the pot receiving space 72 e. Inone form, the positioning of the arms 210 and 212 may be controlled by acam connected to the arms 210 and 212 and operably connected to theconveyors 200.

Embodiment of FIG. 16

Shown in FIG. 16 is a modified pot frame 64 f adapted to be utilizedwith the band holder 82 e of FIG. 15 or any other similar band holder.As shown in FIG. 16, the pot frame 64 f comprises at least two andpreferably four arms with only two arms 250 and 252 being shown in FIG.16. The lower end of each arm 250 and 252 is pivotally connected to thebase frame 32 or the band holder 82 e by way of pivot connections 254and 256.

A plurality of planetary gears 258 are rotatingly connected to the pivotarm 250 and a plurality of planetary gears 260 are rotatingly connectedto the arm 252. The planetary gears 258 and 260 are identical inconstruction and operation. The planetary gears 258 and 260 aregearingly interconnected such that each of the planetary gears 258 and260 rotates in the same direction 262 or 264 respectively. A spring 266is connected to the arms 250 and 252. The spring 266 biases the arms 250and 252 in a direction generally toward each other.

A rod 268 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 250 and arod 270 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 252.

The flower pot 16 and the sheet of material 14 are positioned in the potreceiving space 72 f formed by the rods 268 and 270 in a manner similarto that described before. The planetary gears 258 and 260 are driven inthe directions 262 and 264 by way of a belt drive connected to a motor(not shown) or any other desirable drive means. A hook 272 is connectedto each of the bottom planetary gears 258 and 260. As the planetarygears 258 and 260 are rotated the hooks 272 are moved through the slots242 in the band holder 82 e and each of the hooks 272 hooks the top band12 and moves the top band 12 along the outer peripheral surface of theplanetary gears 258 and 260. As the planetary gears 258 and 260 arerotated, the band 12 is moved along the outer peripheral surface of theplanetary gears 258 and 260 and transferred from one gear to the othercausing the band 12 to be moved in the upwardly direction toward theupper ends of the arms 250 and 252.

When the band 12 has been moved to and over the upper ends of the arms250 and 252, the band 12 is released onto the rods 268 and 270. Theflower pot 16 is moved into the pot receiving space 72 f causing therods 268 and 270 to be pivoted thereby moving the band 12 upwardly alongthe rods 268 and 270 to a position where the band 12 is released overthe upper ends of the rods 268 and 270 and positioned about the sheet ofmaterial 14 for cooperating to hold the sheet of material 14 about theflower pot 16 in the manners described before.

When the flower pot 16 is positioned in the pot receiving space 72 f,the flower pot 16 engages the rods 268 and 270 causing the rods to pivotin the manner described before and causing the arms 250 and 252 to bemoved outwardly in a direction generally away from each other againstthe biasing force of the spring 266. When the flower pot 16 is removedfrom the pot receiving space 27 f, the spring 266 biasingly moves thearms 250 and 252 back to the initial or start position. When the band 12is released in the manner just described, a new band is picked up fromthe band holder 82 e and moved along the planetary gears 258 and 260 andpositioned on the rods 268 and 270 thereby conditioning the pot frame 64f for receiving another flower pot 16 and sheet of material 14.

The planetary gears 258 and 260 may be replaced by a conveyor belt ifdesired in some applications or any other means for picking up the band12 from the band holder 82 e or other band holder and moving the bandonto the rods 268 and 270.

Embodiment of FIGS. 17 and 18

Shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is another modified pot frame 64 f which may beused with the band holder 82 e or other equivalent band holder. The potframe 64 f includes a plurality of triangularly shaped rod structures302 (only two rod structures 302 being shown in FIGS. 17 and 18). Thelower end of the rod structures 302 are disposed near the upper end ofthe band holder 82 e and a hook 304 is connected to a portion of thelower end of each of the rod structures 302 and positioned for pickingup the top band 12 from the band holder 82 e.

In the initial or start position shown in FIG. 17, a portion of each ofthe rod structures 302 extends into the pot receiving space 72 f and thehooks 304 are positioned in the band holder 82 e for removing the topband 12 from the band holder 82 e. When the pot 16 is lowered into thepot receiving space 72 f, the pot 16 engages a portion of the rodstructures 302 causing the rod structures 302 to be pivotally movedoutwardly thereby causing the hooks 304 to hookingly engage andhookingly remove the top band 12 from the band holder 82 e. As the rodstructures 302 are pivoted outwardly as a result of the flower pot 16being moved downwardly into the pot receiving space 72 f, the band 12 iscaused to be moved along the outer peripheral surface of the rodstructures 302 and upwardly along the rod structures 302 to a positionwherein the band 12 is moved over the upper ends of the rod structures302 and dispenses therefrom onto the sheet of material 14 and the flowerpot 16 disposed in the pot receiving space 72 f. When the flower pot 16and the sheet of material 14 with the band 12 disposed thereabout areremoved from the pot receiving space 72 f, the rod structures 302 arepivotally moved back to the initial or start position shown in FIG. 17by way of springs 306 which are connected between the rod structures 302and the pot frame 64 f for biasing the rod structures 302 to the initialor start position.

Embodiment of FIGS. 19 and 20

Shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is a modified pot frame 64 h. The modified potframe 64 h comprises a plurality of arms 320 which are pivotallysupported on the base frame 32 for pivotal movement about a pivotconnection 322 (only two arms 320 are shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 for thepurpose of illustration and it is understood that at least two sets ofarms 320 and preferably four sets of arms 320 actually comprise themodified pot frame 64 h). A secondary arm 324 is secured to the arm 320and a hook 326 is formed on one end of the secondary arm 324. The arms320 and the secondary arms 324 are configured and positioned so that inthe initial or start position, the hooks 326 are disposed in the bandholder 82 e for hookingly engaging the uppermost band 12 in the bandholder 82 e.

In operation, the flower pot 16 is moved into the pot receiving space 72h and the pot engages the secondary arms 324 causing the secondary armsto be pivoted in the downwardly direction so the hooks 326 hookinglyengage and hookingly remove the top band 12 in the band holder 82 e. Asthe secondary arms 324 are pivoted in the downwardly direction, the arms320 also are pivoted in a direction generally toward the flower pot 16as a result of the pivotable movement of the secondary arms 324. Thiscauses the band 12 to be moved along the secondary arms 324 and onto thearms 320 where the band 12 is moved up and over the upper ends of thearms 320 as a result of the further pivotable movement of the arms 320in the direction toward the flower pot 16 for dispensing the band 12onto the sheet of material 14 in the manners and for reasons describedbefore.

Embodiment of FIG. 21

Shown in FIG. 21 is another modified pot frame 64 g which may be used incooperation with a band holder like the band holder 82 e for example.The pot frame 64 g comprises a plurality of arms 310 which are pivotallysupported on the base frame 32 at a pivot connection 312. Each of thearms 310 includes a pot engaging flange 314 disposed near the lower endof the respective arms 310. The arms 310 cooperate to form the potreceiving space 72 g. A hook 316 is formed on the lower end of each ofthe respective arms 310. Each of the hooks 316 is positioned withrespect to the band holder 82 e so that the hooks 316 removably engagethe upper band in the band 12 holder 82 e.

In operation, the flower pot 16 is moved into the pot receiving space 72g to a position wherein the lower end 24 of the flower pot 16 with thesheet of material 14 disposed thereabout engages the respective potengaging flanges 314 thereby pivotally moving the arms 310 in directions318. As the arms are moved in the directions 318, the hooks 316 engageand remove the upper band 12 in the band holder 82 e. As the arms 310continue to move in the direction 318, the band 12 is moved along thearms 310 and over the upper ends of the arms 310 for positioning theband 12 about the sheet of material 14 for cooperating to hold the sheetof material 14 on the flower pot 16 in any one of the manners describedbefore.

Embodiment of FIG. 22

Shown in FIG. 22 is a modified band applicator 10 k for securing thesheet of material 14 about the flower pot 16 in any manners describedbefore. The band applicator 10 k includes a roll of material 400 whichis supported so that material may be unrolled from the roll of material400. The material in the roll of material 400 extends from the roll ofmaterial 400 through a pair of rollers 420 and over a portion of anupper surface 440 of a platform 460. The platform 460 includes a flowerpot opening 470. The upper surface 440 corresponds to the top supportsurface 38, the platform 460 corresponds to the top 36 and the flowerpot opening 470 corresponds to the top opening 44.

At least one of the rollers 420 is powered so that, by rollinglyactuating the rollers 420, the rollers 420 are rotated in the respectivedirections 480 and 500 as indicated in FIG. 22 to move the material in ageneral direction 520 to a position wherein a predetermined amount ofthe material has been disposed generally over the flower pot opening 470in the platform 460. After a predetermined amount of the material hasbeen unrolled from the roll of material 400 and positioned generallyover the flower pot opening 470, a knife 540 is actuated and moved in adownward direction 560 to a position wherein the knife 540 cuttinglyengages the material thereby severing a sheet of material 14 from theroll of material 400. The knife 540 is shown in FIG. 22 in the cuttingposition.

The applicator 10 k also includes a generally U-shaped fork 580 formingan opening 600 which is connected to one end of a bar 620. The oppositeend of the bar 620 is movably connected to a post 640 so that the bar620 may be moved in an upward direction 660 or in a downward direction680. The bar 620 also is pivotally connected to the post 640 so that thebar 620 may be rotated in a first direction 700 and in a seconddirection 720.

A first hydraulic cylinder 740 is connected to the bar 620 for movingthe bar 620 in the upward or the downward direction 660 or 680. A secondhydraulic cylinder 760 is connected to the bar 620 for moving the bar620 in the direction 700 or 720.

In operation, the flower pot 16 is disposed in the opening 600 in thefork 580 and supported in the fork 580. The bar 620 is moved by thehydraulic cylinders 740 and 760 to position the flower pot 16 generallyover the flower pot opening 470 and over the pot frame 64. After thesheet of material 14 has been cut from the roll of material 400, thesecond hydraulic cylinder 760 is actuated to move the bar 620 and theflower pot 16 connected thereto in the downward direction 680 therebymoving the flower pot 16 and the sheet of material 14 through the flowerpot opening 470 into the pot frame 64. The band 12 is then applied tothe sheet of material 14 in any one of the several manners describedbefore.

After the band 12 has been applied to the sheet of material 14 and theflower pot 16, the second hydraulic cylinder 760 is actuated to move thebar 620 and the flower pot 16 connected thereto in the upward direction660 to a position wherein the flower pot 16 is positioned generallyabove the flower pot opening 470 and generally above the upper surface440 of the platform 460. The first hydraulic cylinder 740 then isactuated to pivotally move the bar 620 and the flower pot 16 connectedthereto in the direction 720 so the flower pot 16 with the sheet ofmaterial 14 secured thereto by the band 12 can be removed from the fork580 and another flower pot can be disposed in the fork 580.

Changes may be made in the construction and the operation of the variouscomponents, elements and assemblies of the band applicators describedherein and changes may be made in the steps or the sequence of steps ofthe methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as defined in the following claims.

1. A method for placing a band about a decorative cover extending aboutat least a portion of a floral grouping, comprising: providing a framehaving an opening adapted to receive the floral grouping having thedecorative cover extending about at least a portion thereof; moving thefloral grouping having the decorative cover extending about at least aportion of the floral grouping into the opening in the frame andautomatically positioning a band about the decorative cover.
 2. A methodfor placing a band about a decorative cover formed about a floralgrouping, comprising: wrapping a sheet of material about the floralgrouping to provide a decorative cover for the floral grouping; movingthe floral grouping with the decorative cover formed thereabout into apredetermined position so that a band can be positioned about a portionof the decorative cover; providing a band holder configured to hold aplurality of bands, the band holder having an opening therein adapted toreceive the floral grouping having the decorative cover formed about atleast a portion thereof; moving the floral grouping having thedecorative cover extending about at least a portion thereof into theopening in the band holder; and automatically positioning the band aboutthe decorative cover for securing the decorative cover about the floralgrouping.